Projo Pats Blog

The New England Patriots certainly did all that they could do today to improve their playoff chances, blasting the Arizona Cardinals, 47-7, in snowy Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots are now awaiting the scores of two other games today, including the Dolphins-Chiefs game that is going on now; Miami leads, 38-31, late in the fourth quarter. If Miami holds on and the Jets beat Seattle later today, the Patriots are virtually eliminated from the AFC East race (only a tie when the Jets face the Dolphins next week would give the Pats a shot to win the division in that case).

Matt Cassel was brilliant today, going 20 of 36 for 345 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions before leaving the game in favor of Kevin O'Connell. Meanwhile, the Patriots' defense held Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner to 30 passing yards on 6-of-18 passing. The Cardinals' running game wasn't better, as running backs Tim Hightower and Edgerrin James combined for 36 yards on 14 carries.

A 78-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Matt Leinart to Larry Fitzgerald with 6:30 left in the game cut the Patriots lead to 47-7 and prevented New England from breaking the 47-year-old franchise record for largest shutout victory ever.

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